Jimmie Gipson to Retire From Houchens

Jimmie Gipson, longtime CEO and chairman of the board for Houchens Industries, will retire effective March 31, after 55 years with the company. EVP Dion Houchins will succeed him as CEO and chairman.

Gipson started his career at Houchens in 1965 in the accounting department, where he was a key figure in the conversion of Houchens from private ownership to an employee-owned company in 1988. He was CEO since 1993 and oversaw the company’s growth from a regional grocery company to a multibillion dollar conglomerate with more than 400 grocery, convenience and neighborhood stores in 16 states. Houchens, based in Bowling Green, Ky., is the U.S.'s largest independent owner of Save A Lot stores but also operates stores under several other banners.

Jimmie Gipson

Pete Mahurin, longtime Houchens Industries board member, noted Gipson’s “commitment, work ethic, compassion and ability to always think and act at the level of the Houchens Industries organization. I have never met any one person in all my years, that has contributed to people and places in a broader, more meaningful way.”

Incoming CEO Houchins joined the company in 2009 and has been EVP for 11 years.